IBODUTANT (MEN 15596) is a small, non peptide molecule and a potent and selective antagonist at the tachykinin NK2 receptor.

In preclinical models, IBODUTANT prevents alterations of intestinal motility due to the activation of NK2 receptors, after either intravenous or oral administration, and remarkably reduces visceral pain hypersensitivity. IBODUTANT showed a very good tolerability and safety profile in toxicological studies.
In phase I clinical studies in humans, IBODUTANT was safe and well tolerated, showing a remarkable oral absorption and a half-life long enough to allow once-a-day dosing.
These features make IBODUTANT a promising new drug for the chronic gastrointestinal disease known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

IBS is a widespread pathology, especially common among people living in industrialized countries (14 to 24% of female, and 5 to 19% of male population). It is not life-threatening, but heavily impacts on patients’quality of life and social costs.
IBS is a functional intestinal disorder: patients commonly complain of recurrent abdominal pain which is not related to any evident organic damage or inflammatory process. IBS can be characterized by constipation and/or diarrhea.
Nowadays, no pharmacological therapy is available to effectively control all the symptoms complained by IBS patients with a satisfactory benefit/adverse events index.
In recent years, visceral hyperalgesia has been recognised as the main pathophysiological event underlying IBS symptoms. It is predicted that drugs, such MEN 15596, that are able to correct visceral hyperalgesia will constitute an important step forward in IBS treatment.

IBODUTANT is currently entering phase II clinical trials in IBS.